Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to infection or injury.
Inflammation that lasts for a prolonged period is called chronic inflammation, which has been linked to a number of health issues, including cancer, heart disease and depression.
Lifestyle choices such as not smoking, not drinking excessively and keeping stress in check can reduce your risk of chronic inflammation.
Luckily, a number of effective herbal remedies can help ease inflammation symptoms without the side effects of some over-the-counter drug-based pain relievers.
Here are three you may want to try.
Curcumin
Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory with a long history of use by Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practitioners.
A study assessing the safety and effectiveness of curcumin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that those who took curcumin alone reported fewer disease symptoms than subjects who took a prescription pain medication or a combination of curcumin plus a prescription pain reliever.
When purchasing a curcumin supplement to fight inflammation, choosing one that contains piperine (or black pepper extract) ensures better absorption and effectiveness.
Try: Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme Vegan Capsules
Green Tea Extract
Research has linked green tea to a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation.
Compounds in green tea called catechins have been studied for their ability to reduce symptoms of inflammation. Researchers found that EGCG, a major catechin in green tea, may be beneficial to patients with rheumatoid arthritis as it minimizes the production of molecules that contribute to inflammation.
Brew 3-4 cups daily, or opt for a daily green tea supplement of 300 – 400 milligrams.
Try: Bluebonnet Nutrition EGCG Green Tea Leaf Extract Vegetarian Capsules
Boswellia
Resin from the Boswellia serrata tree is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
In a 2020 review article that looked at data from more than 500 clinical trial subjects, boswellia was considered a safe and effective treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis.
Based on their research, the study authors recommended taking boswellia at a daily dose of 100 – 250 milligrams for four weeks.